Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

I aim to create a space of warmth, respect and curiosity where, together, we can explore the nuance and depth of your story. While everyone's individual challenges differ, I believe that fundamentally, the process of feeling, experiencing and examining our struggles promotes growth—increased awareness, new ways of being, more empathy, different ways of relating to ourselves and others, and more meaning and connection. Please be in touch if you'd like to explore working together.

Nicole Barone MA, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over eight years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marist College where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based practices and person-centered care. She has worked with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and is passionate about helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, stress, and interpersonal difficulties. Her clinical work focuses on helping individuals gain insight and better understand themselves, build coping skills, and improve their overall quality of life. She believes therapy is most effective when clients feel safe, supported, and truly heard. Her goal is to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment where clients can be themselves and explore what’s most important to them. Her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices. She incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing, tailoring each session to the unique needs of the individual. She strives to bring curiosity, empathy, and authenticity into each session.

Wellington Counseling Group is the trusted resource for adults, children, families, and couples looking for professional emotional and psychological support. Our diverse team specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma recovery, family dynamics, couples, and so much more. Each of our therapists offers a unique perspective that helps their patients find relief from symptoms, transcend the boundaries of mental health conditions, and craft a life they are proud to lead.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Students who come to work with me often share some things in common: -They're high-achievers. Driven, capable, and holding it together on the outside, but quietly exhausted, burned out, or feeling like something's missing on the inside. -They might be navigating anxiety or OCD, going through a major life transition, or questioning their purpose and what comes next. They may be working through shifts in their relationships, with a partner, with their parents, or with themselves. -Many have never asked for help before. They're used to being the one who has it together, and reaching out takes real courage for them. If any of that sounds familiar, reach out for a free 20-minute consultation and let's get started together :)

I have been in practice as a therapist for over 10 years and have worked in a variety of treatment settings over the course my my career. As a queer therapist, I enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and the issues we face, and welcome clients of all races, sizes, genders, cultures, abilities and orientations. I specialize in working with clients with depression and anxiety, binge eating and body image distress, Borderline Personality Disorder, and other struggles in regulating emotions and managing relationships.

As a queer, disabled person, engaging in topics of systems, religion, and relationships is both my lived experience and my passion. As a clinician-in-training, I see the counseling process as a collaborative, client-centered time for exploring patterns, story, and skill-building for your relationships to yourself and the world around you. Whatever patterns, questions, or pain you may bring, therapy is your space to make self-compassionate change happen. I utilize narrative, art, emotional regulation, somatic, executive functioning, and mindfulness approaches to the treatment of Depression/Anxiety, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Issues, and Relationship Concerns (self, others, political environment, earth, etc). In short: my style of therapy is warm, client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in curiosity. I am committed to providing therapy that recognize intersections of potential pain and power within myself and others (race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality, religion/spirituality, disability, immigration status, etc). Whatever your pain may be, I look forward to learning more about and from your lived experience as we work together towards healing.

We are dedicated to offering Mental Health Services which are easily adaptable and low-stress and that combine strategies for assisting with the many difficult aspects and challenges that have become normal in our daily lives. Clients are encouraged and taught to actively learn about themselves and are challenged to explore new ways of being and thinking, all in a safe and comforting environment.

Evolve Wellness is a modern therapy practice designed for college students navigating life’s challenges. We offer a warm, inclusive space to explore stress, anxiety, trauma, identity, relationships, and the impact of today’s social and political climate. Affirming & inclusive: We provide compassionate support for LGBTQ+ and nonbinary students, honoring every part of who you are. Trauma-informed care: Our therapists help you process and heal from past experiences safely and at your own pace. Flexible & accessible: Choose in-person or virtual sessions, with evening and weekend options that fit your schedule. Holistic growth: We integrate evidence-based methods (CBT, ACT, Mindfulness) with a focus on self-understanding, values, and connection. At Evolve Wellness, you’re not alone. You belong. You matter. Let’s heal and grow together.

Our world can be a tough place that leaves many of us feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood. If you’re tired of the systems working against you and are ready to receive unwavering support in breaking down the walls keeping you from your best relationships and self, I would love to assist you. You can expect our sessions to provide a sanctuary that is polyamory, sex worker, kink, and LGBTQIA+ affirming, QTBIPOC-centered, antiracist, trauma-informed, COVID-safe, and nonjudgmental so that you feel safe to show up as your authentic self. I work with individuals, couples, and families to utilize a person-centered, strengths-based, and evidence-based approach. In my work, I implement systemic modalities such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I value building trust in our therapeutic relationship so that we can collaborate and customize a plan to explore what’s been holding you back, tap into your desires and strengths, and empower you to make the changes needed to claim the life you truly want. Via the structured and validating environment that we will foster together, we will be able to tackle concerns including intergenerational trauma, emotional and physical intimacy issues, sexual dysfunction, life transitions, sexual abuse, childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious abuse, and unlearning sexual shame. I aim to help uncover the resilient parts of you that have gotten muddled throughout daily life under current societal systems by working through a decolonial lens that uplifts marginalized groups. I studied Biology, Philosophy, and Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and have work experience with foster care youth, emergency medicine, interpersonal violence peer support, shelter animals, queer sexual health and pleasure advocacy, conflict mediation, and environmental canvassing. My diverse school and work background have deepened my understanding of systemic oppression and have prepared me to advocate for underserved populations. I am pursuing my master’s degree at National University in Marriage and Family Therapy with an emphasis on sex therapy, and I have the privilege of being supervised by Brittney Brooks, LMFT. I know it can be challenging to be open with people outside your support system, and I also know that none of us deserves to navigate hardship alone. If you are prepared to embark on this courageous journey together, I invite you to reach out!

Young adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming—full of choices, change, and uncertainty. Whether you're graduating from school or navigating college, starting your career, facing relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, anxious, or down, therapy can be a grounding space to sort through it all. I understand the complex stressors that come with early adult life, and I am deeply passionate about supporting adults navigating a range of emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, academic concerns, relationship troubles, and grief. My therapeutic style is compassionate and empathetic—I work to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel seen and heard. I also believe in the importance of being direct and gently challenging when needed, to help you grow and move toward meaningful change. I tailor my work to meet your unique goals and with respect to your lived experience.

Ashley (Evans) McTaggart is a Registered Dietitian and a alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over six years of experience in the eating disorder field, Ashley is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. She began her nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded her expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. Ashley’s nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.

I provide in depth talk therapy to individuals and couples dealing with depression, anxiety, loneliness, grief, relationship issues, career concerns, trauma, and identity development. As a psychoanalytically oriented therapist, I feel I am most specialized in helping those I treat with what Christopher Bollas (a renowned psychoanalyst) refers to as the Unthought Known – those intimately familiar yet too elusive to comprehend patterns that inhibit our beings in ways exquisitely unique to each of us. It is my belief that our work together in learning more about these ingrained underlying “loops” (in an environment where you feel safe, nurtured, and free of judgment) has the potential to provide peace, present solutions, and produce change.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

The process of starting therapy can be awkward and scary but life-changing. It is a relief to speak with someone who doesn’t know you to form judgments. This environment is understood as a safe space that you will be provided with. A place where you can feel heard, express your emotions, and receive psycho-education. We all have the ability to change with the right tools. My goal is to meet you where you’re at and grow from there. At Hope and Prosper, I tend to utilize an integrative approach with cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy for an effective, personalized treatment. Clients often describe me as insightful, humorous, enthusiastic, and caring. These natural characteristics that I exhibit embrace my personality as a clinician. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with experience therapizing children, adolescents, teens, and adults. I obtained my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I graduated with my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in trauma. Currently, I am pursuing my doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) to further my career.

For Real Therapy is rooted in the belief that therapy is a political act -- where resilience and rest are supported simultaneously. It is a practice for people who recognize the ripple effect of their impact on the world at large, and why it is integral to commit to the work of intentional self-healing to relate to yourself so you can best relate to others.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by constant striving, anxiety, or the pressures of perfectionism? Do you feel like you’re stuck in the backseat of your own life? I’m here to help you break free from these patterns and reclaim the driver’s seat of your life. In therapy, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space, blending empathy with constructive challenges to help you address what's keeping you stuck and empower you to move toward your goals. My goal is to empower you to achieve your personal goals and develop greater self-compassion, which I believe serves as a foundation for growth and resilience. I use an integrative therapeutic approach tailored to your unique needs, helping you gain a deeper understanding of your experiences. By examining how past experiences and relationships shape your current challenges and perspectives, we’ll work towards meaningful, value-driven change. I am passionate about supporting young adults navigating challenges such as anxiety, perfectionism, depression, relational issues, life transitions, eating disorders, and body image concerns. I believe in your capacity for change and would be honored to join you on your journey toward healing and personal growth.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor based in Illinois with over 10 years of experience. I’m also a Board-Certified Art Therapist and hold a trauma professional certification. I work with individuals 13 and up around concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and loss, self-harm, self-esteem, and trauma. I take a holistic, strengths-based approach that honors your whole self. I draw from a variety of treatment approaches, personalizing care to focus on what feels most supportive for you. As an Art Therapist, I offer art making as an outlet for emotional healing and joyful creativity. Art Therapy can be especially helpful to express thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to verbalize, while also supporting self-worth and mind–body connection. I deeply value the therapeutic relationship and believe it is the foundation for meaningful change. I bring compassion, curiosity, and respect to each session, honoring that change can be both brave and hard. You don’t have to do this alone—I’ll be alongside you as you build skills, connect with your strengths, and create a more balanced, fulfilling life. “Only when we’re brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” -Brené Brown

I am passionate about working with young adults who are trying to better understand themselves. My areas of expertise include Anxiety, Depression, Identity development with a special emphasis on Gender and Sexual Orientation, Hispanic clients, TGNC people, and people living with HIV. My therapeutic approach will vary depending on who I'm working with. I will walk you through the process of therapy, as often times it can be seen as intimidating and scary. I tend to work from a collaborative approach where your strengths are recognized, and we try to build upon that foundation. My goal is to understand the lens through which you see the world and share with you how it may or may not be helping you in this moment, while also providing techniques you may incorporate into your repertoire of skills. I bring forth my most authentic self by showing my geekiness and by adding some comedy when appropriate so that you may feel comfortable. My hope is that you feel confident in being unapologetically you in session, and that we may also talk about the things you are passionate about.

I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago with a specialization in clinical mental health, and hold certifications in alcohol and drug counseling (CADC) and in the assessment and treatment of trauma (NMT Phase I). In my training, I have worked with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings, including community youth programming, community mental health centers, and private practice. I work from a client-centered, strengths-based, and integrative approach in which I am able to tailor therapy to the individual client’s needs. I believe in the power of utilizing attachment and psychodynamic theories to better understand the origins of symptoms along with implementing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to relieve symptoms. Because I believe that connection is fundamental to the healing process, I aim to create a warm and accepting therapeutic relationship that allows me to understand the challenges you face, help you determine the goals you hope to work toward, and empower you to create significant and lasting change. My areas of specialization include anxiety, trauma, substance use, relational conflict, self-esteem, and life transitions. When I’m not working, you can find me going to yoga classes, working through a long bucket list of Chicago restaurants, and planning my next travel adventure.